Too, too funny. My California-raised daughter ended up in the mid-west on a law school scholarship and settled there for the next eleven years, for the same reasons everyone who knows the Midwest gives. Its people and culture are so welcoming and decent. Now, though, she's homesick enough that she's getting back her roots by doing a 2,650 mile walk up the West coast after which she'll re-settle.

As for fishing cheaply, you've probably got easier opportunities where you are than your son will have here. I'd love to be able to throw flies to bluegills like you can. Iowa has dozen of farm ponds, and you can actually eat the fish. The hassle with fishing Portland's nearby waters, e.g. the Willamette River, which is a bike ride from PSU campus, is toxics, chiefly from ag runoffs upstream (the fabled Willamette valley) and from industry within the urban area.

My buddy and I have a "secret" creek I'll put your son on with the right loaner gear if that fishery has come back. But two years ago, torrential flooding restructured the streambed and flushed out of the drainage nearly every fish of what had been a viable, self-sustaining population. Before, it was classic, freestone water that presented one interesting problem after another, and it was was just an hour and a quarter's drive. But my bet is that it will take five to eight years before it rebuilds. There's other waters, some of which I've explored, but Northern Cal is where I do a lot of my fly rodding.

As for losing your son to the allures of Western fishing, don't fear it. Housing prices will have him returning to the Midwest after he graduates. Your son's welcome to contact me when the school year begins. I'll sent you my info by PM.